Why i won't buy a Pietta: Open Letter

You made a reasonable observation and voiced a rational opinion. much of what followed evokes Mac Beth's well known soliloquy

Well I'd be more tempted to buy a Pietta if they moved the markings somewhere like, eg. below the lever. Or at least, reduced them in size. They are a bit of an eyesore.

I thought manuals were what guys try to find after they can't get something to work.

Seriously, I agree but we have to put warning labels of cigarettes because people don't know they are bad for you. Or a tag on a hair dryer telling people to not use them in a bath tub full of water.

Ever stop and wonder why? Because some people are idiots and have died, then the company had to spend money fighting lawsuits.

There have been many instances of people loading smokeless powder in black powder guns, often with disastrous results, people have even been killed or killed others from this.

It doesn't surprise me that Pietta is considerate of this. They don't want to get sued. The markings look fine to me, and I think 99% of people who buy these guns couldn't care less about the rollmarks.

Manuals are what people read after they try every thing they know and still can't get the thing to work.

Personally I think the simple solution to your problem with Pietta is to buy another brand.

Yes, the OP realizes why they are there and the reason Pietta has to put those markings on their revolvers but what the OP is saying is why doesn't Pietta put those markings in a less conspicuous place on their revolvers like Uberti does.

Maybe an e-mail campaign will work if more people start complaining. Don't know. You can try.

I would buy one of their engraved models in a heartbeat if they would put those warning labels under the loading lever.

i have two piettas,1860 colt and a remington 1858 great guns.have no problems with the barrels information.

Sadly, I would wager that Pietta was forced into their present practice by corporate lawyers, and for that reason will not budge on their position.
One...just one idiot with a sheister attorney could cost the company millions because Bubba claimed it didn't come with a manual (truth is he probably can't read). Yes, I dislike the garish warnings, but it's a byproduct of modern society, and I doubt a petition will change a thing.

Its got nothing to do with lawyers or the law because Uberti builds the exact same revolver but puts the warning under the loading lever. Pietta could do the same. Why they don't, I don't know.

That's a shame.
Everybody knows a Pietta Walker is the only one strong enough for .45-70.

Crawdad1 said:

Its got nothing to do with lawyers or the law because Uberti builds the exact same revolver but puts the warning under the loading lever. Pietta could do the same. Why they don't, I don't know.

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Uberti could be less cautious or may have not faced the same litigation. Not every gun maker puts as much effort behind their warnings and safety features.

Consider it like a motorcyle helmet: a leather half-helmet and a full face helmet will both generally satisfy the legal requirement of wearing a helmet when required to do so, but the full face helmet is going to be MUCH more useful in the event that you actually get into a crash - despite being less comfortable and generally unattractive.

Same here - except the potential "crash" is instead a potential lawsuit.

I get nervous about the game of "defarbing" replicas.
It is a short step after that to fakery.
Which I have seen. Once there was a modified and antiqued repro, presented as an original for $1450 at a gun show. I recognized it because I have the same but still with modern trademarks and hot blue with maybe $300 sunk.

Love my 1860 army .44 Pietta!

Uberti could be less cautious or may have not faced the same litigation. Not every gun maker puts as much effort behind their warnings and safety features.

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That makes absolutely no sense. Litigation is litigation and one gets hauled into court they all get hauled into court. Its something else, what that is, I don't know.

Fellows, the OP is only interested in baiting you. His opinion is the only one that matters and if you don't agree with him he will feel he is insulted.

I probably have socks older than he/she is.

Kevin

You have to look at all the other manufacturers of black powder guns. Seems to me at least a lot of them included their 'warnings' visible on their barrels including Palmetto, ASP, Lyman (InvestArms) Pedersoli to name a few. The only manufacturers that haven't done that and placed them under the loading lever was Uberti and I think ASM placed them under the loading lever where they were not visible.

Well considering the response on this thread alone Jmar, I don't think you're going to have too much of an email campaign to flood Pietta with. Most people don't care and they others don't mind the markings.

They do it simply because they can't be there to hold your hand or fix stupid. Plain and simple. Same reason some modern rifles come with 7lb triggers.

I consider the cosmetic flaws as part of the purchase when talking Pietta. All of mine look like they could have been used to settle disputes in the breakroom or taken home for a long weekend.
My first one had been played with by staff at Cabela's that didn't consider it a 'real' gun. Had to twerk the hand spring a bit and I'm thinking maybe a trip to the Goon is in the future for my BBQ gun ( 1858 case hardened frame checkered grips ) . It still looks nice in an open top holster for bbq gun stuff.
My 1860 and 1851 replicas are just a blast to shoot and a bargain in my book. I appreciate flawless beautiful guns, they just don't have any place in my life.
The stunt double for my 1858 replica bbq gun is a solid service type revolver in blackpowder form. Easily replaces one of my favorite woods loafing sidearms, the .38 special. Capable of a bit more whomphf if needed.
I would encourage more people to boycott Pietta this spring to bring prices down for the 'working gun' crowd.